Enhancing Adaptive Sports Participation for Students with Disabilities Through Virtual Reality Kayaking Simulations

Virtual Reality (VR) technologies have shown significant promise in expanding access to sports participation for individuals with disabilities. This paper introduces a comprehensive VR-based kayaking simulation designed to provide students with special needs, particularly those from the ASPOC association (ages 18-24), with an engaging, inclusive, and adaptive sports experience. The primary objective is to address barriers to physical activity—ranging from environmental and social to cognitive and motor limitations—by delivering an accessible virtual environment that supports real-time interaction and feedback. The simulator incorporates hand tracking, haptic feedback, adaptive difficulty levels, and integration with a physical ergometer to simulate realistic paddling dynamics. A novel element of this study is the introduction of a virtual coach powered by the Captury Live markerless motion tracking system, offering real-time, personalized guidance without requiring wearable sensors. Through a structured user study, the system's impact on user engagement, usability, physical exertion, and immersion is assessed. Results suggest the system's potential in promoting motivation, reducing social isolation, and supporting rehabilitation objectives. This paper outlines the design framework, technical implementation, and experimental findings, highlighting the role of immersive Extended Reality (XR) tools in fostering inclusive sporting opportunities.